By Shannon Nicholas

James Tallum of Kenya emerged Men’s champion at the LSR Colombo Marathon – 2018 when he beat teammate Stephen Mungathra Mugambi by a fraction of second to cross the finish line at the Negombo Beach Park yesterday (07).

Tallum clocked a time of 2.21.52 seconds while fellow countryman Mugambi followed him to claim the Silver Medal with a timing of 2.21.58 seconds.

Peter Keter, another Kenyan, rounded off the top three after clocking a time of 2.22.30s.

Meanwhile, Amila Sanath Kumara, G. K. K. S. T. Gunasekara and R. P. D. Arunasiri were the only Sri Lankans who finished just after the three Kenyans.

They were among the six Sri Lankans who topped the first 10, an achievement to be proud of.

Margaret Njuguna of Kenya claimed the Women’s race after clocking a time of 2.52.54s ahead of teammate Emily Jepkoech (2.53.49s) who settled for the Silver Medal.

M. S. P. M. Perera won the third place as she timed in 2.53.56s. Apart from her, six other Sri Lankans featured in the top 10 rankings.

D. G. D. Sadaruwan (1.09.37s) and American National Amanda Chang (1.25.13s) were crowned Men’s and Women’s half marathon champions respectively.

The race commenced close to the BMICH and the competitors headed towards Bauddhaloka Mawatha, before proceeding towards the Negombo Beach Park via Borella, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda, Wattala along the Hamilton Canal, Pamunugama, Thalahena, Pitipana and Doowa, where they came to a halt at the Negombo Beach Park premises.

Organized for the 18th time by Lanka Sportreizen (LSR), the event saw almost 7,000 competitors take part, out of which around 350 were foreign Nationals from 45 countries.